We got a sneak peak of the dress rehearsal of Brian Brooks Moving Company‘s performance last night, and all I can say “wow” is this going to be a great performance.
Brian Brooks Moving Company, courtesy photo
Brian Brooks himself opens the show performing solo with “I’m Going to Explode,” a fabulously high energy performance that just brims with energy and skill. I’m not a dance critic, but it the piece reminded me a little bit of Snoopy’s famous happy dance and left me with the same kind of goofy, silly grin on my face. It makes me smile just to think about it.
“Descent,” is another enjoyable piece—featuring dancers Meghan Frederick, Jo-anne Lee, Danielle McIntosh, David Scarantino, Bryan Strimpel and Evan Teitelbaum, along with Brooks—that actually focuses more on ascending than descending, with lots of preventing people and objects from touching the ground.batting floaty chiffon fabric in the air and run-and-catch partnering.
The Brian Brooks Moving Company residency is sponsored by DANCEworks, a partnership between SUMMERDANCE Santa Barbara and the Lobero Theatre Foundation. The group brings professional contemporary American choreographers of national stature to town to create a new work during a one-month residency on stage at the Lobero. Community outreach is also a big component of the residency, and it was so much fun to see local dancers of all ages perform in the premiere of “Rush Hour,” a colorful fun piece featuring the talents of our friends and neighbors.
Oozing with enjoyment were local dancers Ruth Alpert, Stephanie Bashir, Karen Brill, Tina Corbett, Emmy Curtin, Sophia Curtin, Kevin Deelen, Danny DelValle, Kristine Haugh, Paul Nguyen, Angie Martel, Cecilia Martini-Muth (a talented graphic designer friend), Joan Melendez, Misa Kelly, Kiara Ortega, Michelle Paddack, Kira Purinton, Tracey Reginato (who lived across the street from me growing up), Kim Rodriguez, Arlene Satterlee, Susan Shaberman, Millie Shatrousky, Jerry Steinfink, Justine Sutton (a writer who wrote a piece about whale watching for the current issue of SEASONS Magazine), FayAnn Wooton-Raya, Tina Wooton-Raya, Clarice Yee and Briana Guzman. Watching the smiles on their faces, I couldn’t help but be charmed by the pure joy of their experience. What a gift to Santa Barbara this is.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay long enough to see the company perform “Big City,” an exciting new piece which will have its world premiere at the Lobero tonight. Lucky you, tickets are still available at for tonight’s performance at 8 p.m. Also shows tomorrow (Saturday, March 31) at 8 p.m. at the Lobero Theater, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. 805/963-8572.
–Leslie Dinaberg
